Commercial photographers create images that sell products, services and ideas. Success in the commercial photography business requires knowledge in a wide variety of subjects, from copyright law to marketing. Understanding some very basic concepts important to her business can help the commercial photographer achieve greater levels of success.

Copyright

Photographers create intellectual property. Registering this intellectual property protects a photographer’s ownership rights when unauthorized use of an image occurs. Although a photographer automatically has copyright protection as soon as he takes a photograph, it is wise to formally register all photographic work, prior to publication, with the U.S. Copyright Office. Registering photographic works with the copyright office makes a public record of the photographer’s claim to ownership of the material. Also, without registering created works, photographers have limited legal recourse should someone infringe upon their work.

Licensing

Commercial photographers typically make the majority of their income through licensing photographs. When a photographer owns the copyright to her created works, she can choose how she allows others to use this work. She does this through a license. The license acts as a written agreement detailing the terms and conditions of use. Understanding the needs of the client and how he wishes to use an image allows the photographer to create a license that fills that need and one that’s profitable for her as well. Although a photographer can grant a license verbally, a written agreement works best. The agreement provides proof of the uses granted.

Insurance

In the commercial photography business anything can happen. Sets catch fire, models get hurt and cameras get destroyed, lost or stolen. Having the proper business insurance helps mitigate the financial loss due to these and many other accidents. Comprehensive general liability coverage covers bodily injury and property damage for which the photographer has legal liability. Other insurance coverage for the commercial photographer includes owned and rented equipment coverage, computer and mobile device coverage, portfolio coverage, errors and omissions coverage and business content coverage, which covers things such as desks, chairs and other office equipment. Premiums, professional discounts and deductibles vary.

CODB

The commercial photographer must understand his cost of doing business (CODB) before he can realistically price assignments. According to the American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP), the following formula calculates the photographer's daily CODB: non-reimbursable expenses + desired salary = total overhead / number of billable days = CODB. Once the photographer understands his cost of doing business, he can confidently price assignments knowing that his core business expenses are covered.

Marketing

Marketing must take place on a consistent basis. The successful commercial photographer must always stay in front of her clients. Marketing efforts should include email blasts, phone calls, social networking sites and in-person meetings. The photographer that only contacts her clients every 10 to 12 months loses ground to the photographer who stays in touch with his clients every 6 to 8 weeks. Marketing efforts should focus on the key elements--tangible and intangible--that the photographer brings to her clients.

About the Author

From 2002-2006, Kenneth Hamlett was publisher and head writer for UNSIGNED Music Magazine, an online publication with over 100,000 readers. Prior to establishing UNSIGNED, Hamlett was a business solutions analyst and spent 15 years formulating and writing proposals for supply chain business solutions. He is a graduate of the New York Institute of Photography.